Love

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Valentine's Day is always such a weird holiday for me.  I'm annoyed with the commercialized crap we have to be berated with for the weeks before.  The guilt the ads place on men and women alike to pick that "perfect store bought gift".  But I also always hope to have that small act of holiday acknowledgment from my husband... not that I want the chocolate, expensive dinner reservations, or flowers (these are almost banned in my house since Zoe always eats them which always ends in me cleaning up the resulting upset stomach. TMI?)... just a small acknowledgment... the card, the hug, the couch cuddle time with a movie... heck.. a Snickers candy bar... I'm pretty simple.  But when these things don't happen (and this has happened), I turn into a monster.  

Why??? 

Because I am imperfect.  Because I am putting my desires and hopes in a holiday and in a husband who is just as imperfect as I am.  Because I believe the lies of this world that say I am only loved if I get something of monetary value.  Are the chocolates and the flowers and the jewelry bad things?  NO.  They are beautiful things.  But THINGS all the same.  My hope should not be in whether or not I receive these THINGS, but in the God who provides me with the ability to love despite my sinful heart.  

I had not meant to write this post, but my verse of the day really struck a cord with me, and reminded me of the truths I learned at a Redeemed Marriage event.

Verse of the Day: "Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people?  You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love."  Micah 7:18 (NLT)

Truth:  God is love.  God gives us the ability to love.  Christ teaches us to forgive infinitely, love unconditionally.  1John 4:7 tells us to love one another, for love comes from God.  Romans 5:5 tells us that God pours out his love into his people's hearts.  We cannot truly love without God.  That is where our (my) hope should be.  In a God who is infinitely more wise about the subject than myself in my marriage and everyday relationships.

All the same, I do enjoy thoughtful gifts from friends or my  husband, for whatever the reason.  Because generosity/gift giving is a gift of the Spirit...and so should not be done out of guilt.  Below is a pic of the bracelet my dear friend Julia gave to all of us girls in our small group last night.  You can read about her handmade Valentine's Day here. 

 Isn't this little bracelet completely adorable?  I'm quite smitten.

Blessings.